To start off, the SCM muscle is actually named the sternocleidomastoid muscle. This muscle is responsible for specific neck and head motions and is split into two parts. The interesting thing is that neither part sends pain to the neck, however, it can often cause jaw pain or pain that travels up into the head. Besides headache-like pain and pain in the cheek or jaw region, it has also been linked to eye disturbances, sinus problems, inner ear problems, and even dizziness.
One of the reasons for these various symptoms is because of the attachment to the mastoid process which is that bump like area behind the ear. Strain to that region is directly connected to the ear which attaches to the sinuses and eyes also. 
The SCM specifically attaches from behind the ear on the skull (mastoid process) down to the clavicle and down to the top of the sternum. This is the two parts of the muscle I described.
A tip to help relieve pressure in the SCM are to grab the muscle and/or trigger points with a pincher-type grip along the muscle, holding for 7-10 seconds at different spots along the muscle. This will help break up any knots or trigger points and help relax the muscle. Remember, the sternocliedomastoid travels from behind the ear to the top of your chest essentially so you should be able to do this with either hand.
Additional Reading Resources:
- Neck Muscles Most Responsible for Your Neck Pain and Stiffness
- Cure your Vertigo and Dizziness
- How to Choose the Right Neck Pillow for Proper Posture While Sleeping
- How To Treat Sinusitis at Home Naturally
On July the 4th of 2010, I felt dizzy as I reached to pick something off the ground. And from the point on I started to feel dizzy the rest of the day. It felt as if everything around me was moving. This continued for about 2 weeks. I went to the doctor and they started a battery of tests to give me a diagnosis. about a week after going to the doctor I started to feel a sharp pain on the bone directly behind my right ear. I did some research on the internet. And discovered information regarding the SCM muscle. I read the info and followed the directions and sure enough the pain went away. It took approximately 10 days for the pain behind my ear to gradually go away. After that it took about 10 more days for the dizziness to gradually go away as well. Now that I know about this
Thank you for your post to our Neck Pain support Blog. In 2004, a study by completed by Babak Missaghi, BSc, DC, FCCRS(C)about the SCM Syndrome. This article presented a case study of a patient diagnosed with dysfunction of the SCM muscle.A condition which can result in head and face pain, nausea, dizziness, coryza, and lacrimation. In this particular case, the SCM muscle had developed tightness and weakness with presence of multiple trigger points within both heads of the muscle. A combination of passive and active treatments were utilized to successfully treat this condition.
Source: J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2004 September; 48(3): 201–205.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1769463/
Hello! This morning, I noticed a painful lump on the right side of my neck on, what I believe, is the SCM. I have always had a tiny lump there, but this morning, it was painful to the touch. The lump is on the muscle, roughly two inches from my behind my ear. Any suggestions as to what this could be?
I am planning to make an appointment with the doctor on Monday.
If it makes any difference, I am recently getting over a bad cold and have a little case of bronchitis.
Thanks so much for your help!
Sara
I am replying to the person who wrote the comment on July 4th about dizziness and the SCM muscle exercises. Can you tell me which website you found for the directions and exercises that helped you get better? I am having similar symptoms and want to try these at home. If you could please reply with the website address, I would appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
Kathy
The person who posted about dizziness and the bone pain behind the ear. Can you please tell me the website you found for the exercises for the SCM muscles? I would like to try these exercises for myself. Thanks .
Kathy
Question is there any specific speciality that treats SCM issues. I know quite a few people with MAV and issues with the neck always giving them issues.
Hi,
I get a weird pressure in my ears, like I want to pop them as you would for pressure change but they won’t release. I wouldn’t describe it as pain but it’s very very uncomfortable. It’s been going on for a few years now and I really need to solve it. It’s not accompanied by headache but sometimes I do get a real uncomfortable spacey feeling with it almost like the early stages of migraine. I’ve had my ears checked for infection and an x-ray of my neck and all came back clear so perhaps it is muscle related? Has anyone ever heard of a similar problem? A podiatrist told me I have slight ligament laxity in my feet so maybe I have it in my neck as well and it puts more pressure on my muscles? I’m also female and 6.1ft so perhaps my neck just isn’t strong enough to handle always looking down and not fitting into things! Any advice and guess work as to what I could try would be much appreciated 🙂